I hate the way dates look.
Especially when you cut them open to take out the pit.
They are just creepy.
I could never eat a date whole because of this, but I do love them all blended up in a “Larabar.” What’s great about dates is that you can naturally sweeten up just about anything and make a yummy treat.
See the date in the photo below?
Creepy and weird, right?
But when you blend them up with cocoa powder, almonds, vanilla and chocolate chips, magic happens.
They are very easy to make too. No cooking required just a food processor or high powered blender.
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Brownie Larabars
Print RatePrep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 18
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cup pitted dates
- 1 cup blanched almonds or raw or regular
- 4 tbsp cocoa powder regular or dark chocolate
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips optional, I use Enjoy Life brand
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into food processor or high powered blender.
- Blend until solid and slightly sticky. It will become a large lump with most of it stuck together.
- Remove lump and press any loose pieces into it and place on a sheet of wax paper.
- Place another piece of wax paper on top of the lump and do your best to flatten and form into a square or rectangle.
- Place in a fridge for a few hours to make it easier to cut.
- Cut into squares or rectangles and store in fridge in between sheets of wax or parchment paper, or you can wrap each one individually in wax paper for putting in lunches or for on the go. You can use a cute sticker to seal them for kids lunches!
marilyn says
December 9, 2013 at 6:08 amI’m so happy I saw this recipe! It didn’t even occur to me to try to make my own larabars! YES!
Kimberly Grabinski says
December 9, 2013 at 9:45 amIt really is easy and they taste soooo good.
Maryann says
September 18, 2013 at 4:35 pmYes, i always think dates look like cockroaches. but the larabars look great.
Kimberly Grabinski says
October 26, 2013 at 1:25 pmhahaha now I’m even more creeped out by them.
Kristine says
January 30, 2014 at 11:35 amOMG me too!!! I thought I was the only one 🙂 My husband brought home a big container of them and just looking at the outside of the container was enough to creep me out.
Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says
September 18, 2013 at 8:34 amThese look really good. I like the no cooking part.
Kimberly Grabinski says
October 26, 2013 at 1:26 pmYes! So easy!
Shell Feis says
September 17, 2013 at 7:06 amOoh yum! I need to try these. I love Larabars but would love to make my own!
Kimberly Grabinski says
October 26, 2013 at 1:29 pmMy son likes them better than Larabars.
Sheena Tatum says
September 17, 2013 at 5:09 amThese look fantastic. Oh my nom.
Kimberly Grabinski says
October 26, 2013 at 1:32 pmThey are! I have more flavors to post about too.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
September 15, 2013 at 3:43 pmLarabars are wicked expensive to buy, so this is an awesome alternative.
Kimberly Grabinski says
September 16, 2013 at 10:05 amThese taste better too. Just sayin’ 😉